One who puts his armor on should not boast like one who takes it off. (1 Kings 20:11)Yesterday I told you what a despicable person King Ahab was. Today I confess that one of my favorite quotes in the Bible must be attributed to Ahab himself.
In this passage, the King of Aram, along with 32 of his vassal kings and their forces, come out to attack Ahab's Israel. It isn't looking good for Ahab and Aram's king is boasting of how he is going to destroy Samaria (the capital city of Israel). When I get done with you there won't even be enough dust remaining in Israel to give each of my men a handful (20:10)! Then Ahab's priceless response: One who puts his armor on should not boast like one who takes it off.
This could be John Wayne defending the stage coach's women and children from masked highway bandits!
Henry Ford said, You can't build a reputation on what you intend to do. Ben-Hadad's taunts were brave talk for a man who hadn't yet drawn first blood from his enemy. Somehow Ahab's axiom sounds tougher than Ben Franklin's, Don't count your chickens before they're hatched, but it's the same sentiment.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
Is your ego writing checks your body can't cash?
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